Superman: Ultimate Flight, Six Flags Great America - Review

Superman: Ultimate Flight was the second B&M Flying coaster to open, and the second to take the Superman Ultimate Flight name. This version features an almost identical layout to the one at Six Flags Over Georgia; with the main difference being the one here has one station and only operates two trains.

Riders board the train in a similar way to which they would on an Inverted Coaster, i.e., in a seated position. The restraints consist of an overhead shoulder restraint complete with a life vest type support and ankle restraints, which leave the rider fully secured in a comfortable position. Just before the train departs, the seats recline backwards to leave riders in the flying position, for which they remain throughout most of the ride.

The ride begins with a left-hand turn out of the station and onto the 115-foot lifthill. There then follows a 100-foot drop that starts turning 90 degrees to the right about halfway down. The bottom of the drop runs close to the ground before it rises back up into the first inversion - a Pretzel Loop.

The Pretzel Loop consists of two large half loops that form the shape of a pretzel or heart, the train travels down the first half loop in the flying position, to enter a trench in the upright position, and climb back up into the next half loop and end up back in the flying position.

After the Pretzel Loop, the train takes a left-hand downward spiral through the center of the Pretzel Loop, and ends up flying close above the ground again. It then rises up into a right-hand Horseshoe, before turning back and doing a similar left-hand banked turnaround, followed by a right-hand helix. The train then completes an inline twist before reaching the brakes and slowly returning back to the station.

I haven't ridden this particular version, but based on my experiences of the ones at Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags Great America I can say that it is a good enjoyable ride, but with the exception of the awesome Pretzel Loop, it is not very intense or exciting.